Category: Video-Devotions

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Included

Hi Friends, I hope your summer has gotten off to a great start. I want to let you know that I’m taking this summer off from writing new devos. So, this is the last devo that I will post until a time to be determined. That said, you can expect new content coming very soon on my social media. If you would like to continue to follow the ministry, you can visit the God’s Love at Work Facebook page, subscribe to our YouTube channel or search the blog for archived posts. God bless you & I hope all of you enjoy your summer. Love, Margaret
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Included

God’s bridal invitation to us is to be with Him and others in His fullness of revival. To choose yes is to be included. 

For Him to even include us in His invitation means He desires that we be “part of the whole” and “covered” (Dictionary.com).

There’s power, protection and blessing for those included in His fold. And who wouldn’t want Jesus as an escort throughout life, especially right now? He longs to pour out Himself as goodness to us—in His best ways.

Inclusion Offers Abundance

Our run to Him and what He calls us to offers us abundance in various forms.

In Philippians 3:12 TPT Paul says, “I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own.”

God has need of us in this hour and His heart’s desire is to include each of us. But His kind of inclusion isn’t like the world’s. No, it’s for anyone who is willing and yields their heart to Him; because this kind of inclusion involves personal faith that God’s revealed Word will come to pass, as well action to His directives. This kind of inclusion requires our full embrace of Holy Spirit and our involvement in how He leads.

He is inviting us to be all in. Our progressive yeses to Him require that we get good at letting all else go and entrust Him to take care of it on our behalves. His invitation requires us to say no to that which is not for us at this time, entrusting it with Him completely.

Where many have gone through years of stripping to receive more of Him, Holy Spirit revealed to me that He’s pouring out, in a new way, to these submitted ones. He’s adding more fulfillment now for His purposes in more than one area. And it’s just the beginning. 

He’s giving them all they need to do what He has called and assigned them to do. He’s building upon their foundations He restored in the secret place, multiplying good fruit in order to fulfill divine purposes.

Wisdom as Life

These submitted ones know what to do, because they received instructions from Him over time and they learned that God’s wisdom brings life.

Proverbs 4:13 MSG says, “Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake!”

When God calls us into the impossible, which can even be our everyday Christian walk, the best we can do is take His hand, His arm and live forward with Him. We can do what He says and marvel at Him and what He does, even in specific areas.

Jesus’ invitation requires that we walk closely with Him—in His Glory Presence, within our assignments, as true inclusion involves boundaries. These are the safest places to be and we cannot go wrong. We can remember this when we hear invitations to step out otherwise.

Processing Opposition

Opposing or controlling voices may invite you to cross over into false lands-for-you. So, discern them and just don’t go there. It’s swampland for you. You don’t need it and it won’t serve you or God in the best way. Keep walking and bypass all that’s not for you in this season. 

Be like Nehemiah—committed to his cause. “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down,” Nehemiah said to those through whom the enemy influenced to try to provoke him to cross boundaries he worked to rebuild (Ne 6:3 ESV). “Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Like Nehemiah, don’t let the enemy undo what God has built and is building when He sends you out. Anything that requires we leave our post to lower ourselves to engage in something less is not of God. So, just don’t go there. 

We can cast our cares and keep moving forward. We can keep our eyes straight forward on the prize, which is Jesus. We can focus on Him and His mission for us and we will experience His best reward. We can pray for others and move on quickly. This is God’s way for you and I. 

Be the Head

God’s invitation offers us a head start—to be the head, not the tail of what He’s doing in this hour. But this doesn’t mean we will be alone. No, we will be with Him and others whom He brings along. And won’t it be fun to find out who He assigns with us along the way?

Pray with me, if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for including me in Your place and time for a great adventure with You.

I choose to run to You with a resounding, “Yes,” to Your invitation.

Help me remain close to You and embrace all You have for me and nothing that’s not of You. 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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As Needed

Lately, Holy Spirit has been highlighting the topic of the anointing. In fact, it seems to be a trend right now in Christian media and one I would like to learn even more about. 

A key verse is 1 John 2:27 TPT, which says, “But the wonderful anointing you have received from God is so much greater than their deception and now lives in you. There’s no need for anyone to keep teaching you. His anointing teaches you all that you need to know, for it will lead you into truth, not a counterfeit. So just as the anointing has taught you, remain in him.”

The Word “anointing” here means a “special endowment” or “unction” from Holy Spirit (Strong’s 5545). I especially like how one commentary defines it: The anointing refers “to the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, guiding the receptive believer into [the] fullness of God’s preferred-will” (HELPS Word-studies). “This anointing functions through faith [which is] God inwardly persuading the believer of His preferences.”

We know that Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus, that Jesus is Messiah and that Messiah means “Anointed One” (Strong’s 5547). Therefore, anyone who has Jesus Messiah, the Anointed One, as Holy Spirit living on the inside of them carries the anointing. And these dedicated ones can experience His anointing at work through them as they yield to His unction.

Mind you, this was the walk of the early, dedicated disciples and it can and should be ours today. In other words, this is normal Christianity and it’s one way God disciples us. If you have been taught differently, you may want to submit those teachings to God and ask Him for His truth on the matter. 

In this light, I feel led to share a personal testimony from decades ago when I worked as a flight attendant. Like with many experiences we have in life, at the time, I didn’t fully understand it. But I understand more now. 

At the time, I had hit a big birthday marker and had also relocated to a place I felt led to go. I realized I wasn’t as happy as I thought I would be by this time in my life. So, I stood alone in my living room one day and began to pray. As I poured out my heart to God, I intentionally chose to surrender my whole self to Him all over again. And in that moment, something amazing and supernatural happened: An angel entered my room. 

I did not see the angel but I could feel the power of God on him so strongly that I instantly dropped straight to the floor, like a shot buffalo. This fierce presence felt like an extreme warrior, terrifying to the extent that, I didn’t know if I would survive the visitation. 

This angel was sent to give me divine orders. He said to me that God would send me out on airplanes weekly to do what was needed. He said that Holy Spirit would show me which people to minister to and that I was to do whatever He said. He also said that I was to journal what God would do through me and share the stories in a book. He said to title the book 100 Passengers. 

I don’t know if you have ever had an encounter with an angel like this, but if you do, there’s no room for back-talk, reasoning or any kind of selfish resistance. A fear of God overwhelmed me to the extent that it surpassed any fear of man I had in my heart. And I became afraid to not do what Holy Spirit instructed.

A few days went by. Then my next trip came and off I went, feeling desperate for God to show up and guide me. And wow, did He prove faithful!

Over a two-year period, I walked out His plan weekly.

Over this two-year period, Holy Spirit trained me as I went, just like in 1 John 2:27. No one else can take credit for this kind of discipleship, this great commission or the powerful miracles that happened one-by-one. There was no church building or congregation or cell group. There was no pastor, no friend or Christian co-worker to lean on, except during a handful of times over that two-year period. 

As Holy Spirit sent me out, He made me stronger in my dependence on Him and stronger in knowing Him in new ways firsthand. He grew me in love for others. He grew me in courage and had me do things I would have never done otherwise. I experienced Him show up every single time I obeyed Him and I savored the intimacy I shared with Him. I learned all over again that when God is all I had He was all I needed.

I slept on layovers clutching my Bible. I invested hours journaling and praying on the mornings I had late departures. When He sent me out on those airplanes, even crewmembers would comment on how the atmosphere inside the planes felt exceptionally peaceful, delightful even. And I would smile, knowing it was all God.

Friends, God will do even more for you and me now. He will fill us with His Presence to overflowing and send us out to do miraculous Kingdom work with His help and the help of angels when we submit our whole lives to Him without reticence. 

If this is your firm desire, get alone with God and earnestly pour out your heart to Him. Ask Him to take over your life, to guide you and work through you in whatever ways delight Him. Then, by faith, follow Him however He leads and be awed by Him.

To God be all glory, honor and praise. 

Amen. 

This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Division & Decision

There are times in life when we find ourselves in a Joshua moment. When we have to leave all that’s behind and stand with God in the face of opportunity. And with this comes a fight of faith and a submission to the Great I Am, who knows the way of victory.

Joshua Moments

During quiet time recently, Holy Spirit revealed numerous Words of knowledge to me, impressing my spirit that many are at this moment in time. These people are standing as Joshuas, aligned with God, right on the cusp of all He has promised, waiting for Him to issue His next command.

What’s going on in your life that requires you to take courage in God for a new area and remain carefully obedient to Him for life itself like Joshua?

God is, as He has always been. And these Joshuas will be rewarded for their honor to Him as they continue to focus on Him, receive from Him and choose His higher ways.

They are waking up and seeing what they know to be demarcations of old and new, of life and death. They know what God has promised, and they are beginning to see long-awaited promises begin to break open. 

God’s way is coming into place, and there is so much grace in it all. 

These Joshuas are awestruck in wonder of what God will do next, right before their eyes. They know it will be as He revealed and even better in the surprises that He didn’t. They are experiencing God as wonderful in the adventure. Again.

They see it precisely as it is because they have followed Him here over time. They have peace because they trusted The One who never fails. They know there’s more to come. In fact, it’s just beginning. 

Valley of Decision

And now, it’s time for the valley of decision, where God flips what was into what’s to come; and His people firmly decide to take hold of His way as the way to go (Joel 3:14). God will lead the willing from old to new in a big way to position them into His higher purposes. 

God has need of them. He has prepared them. And He is with them all the way. 

As these Joshuas cling to God, they will receive His better and far better forward. They know He is their Life Source and nothing can harm them as they remain aligned with Him in His Presence, His divine protection. 

They have had to come away with God in a grand way and now it’s time to come away from the cycles of what was into what’s before them. They know they can continue do so because they’ve had a lot of practice in this area. 

Even though there are unknowns-to-them, they have decided to trust God here, no matter what. They are standing firm and embracing all He has for them as they focus forward with Him, leaving all else behind. 

And this time around, they will experience the victory. It was there for them the whole time but now they shall apprehend it, as honor produces honor. 

It’s Time

The time is right, where there will be no more laps required. “I will break them through,” says The Lord of Hosts. They will rush in and receive. It will be sudden, immanent and there will be much to do. 

It’s time for God to remove the valuable from the detestable. It’s time to detach from the former to enter into the future with new vitality and much divinely-purposed activity. It’s time to receive downloads—both spiritually and materially—that will facilitate an outpouring of beauty-for-ashes life, flowing through and beyond each person.

Just as it was with Joshua, it’s time for sudden departures (divisions) from some places and relationships. Some will even leave without saying good-bye because, when God flips it, it will happen fast. And this is precisely what many have looked forward to for a very long time. 

So, here we are: At the moment of division and decision in time, where many will choose to leave what has been familiar behind and step into what’s new to them to serve God and others in new ways.

Pray with me if you will . . . 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for a better life forward. Thank You for promises fulfilled. Thank You for Your grace and mercy and leading and guiding. 

Help me to remain close to You through it all. Help me receive from You and make wise decisions that align with Your character and will.

May You have Your way in my life fully. 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Quietness

Faithful Disposition

Quietness is closely associated with meekness and characterizes “the spirit of disposition” from within (Vine’s). God is highlighting this Word to strengthen us in Him and His ways now and forward for what is and is to come. 

1 Peter 3:4 AMP expresses the meaning of quietness well by saying, “but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.”

Here, we can see the great value God places on a faithful disposition.

One commentary (HELPS Word-studies) offers us more detail, citing this kind of quietness as being steady and settled “due to a divinely-inspired inner calmness.” Also, being appropriate “by not misusing (or overusing) words that would stir up needless friction (destructive commotion).” 

Undisturbed

Another commentary (Strong’s #2272) describes this kind of quietness as “keeping one’s seat” as in being still [and remaining] undisturbed and un-disturbing.” 

We know there are situations that especially require this of us in our lives and in society-at-large.

In this light, Holy Spirit highlighted 1 Timothy 2:2 TPT, which says, “And pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts.”

Here, this kind of quietness is only used in this verse and can reference “tranquility arising from without” (Vine’s).

One commentary (HELPS Word-studies) defines it as “without needless commotion” and “free from outward disturbance.” It describes “the tranquil lifestyle of someone who is composed (self-contained, discreet)” and avoids “what is flamboyant (ostentatious).”

There’s power and protection in this kind of quiet providence and progression (Strong’s #2263)

Trust during Troubles

Those of us who live in the USA have an idea of what’s coming soon, and this very strategic verse of 1 Timothy 2:2 will help us keep our priorities aligned in our divine assignments in the midst. 

How wonderful God is to remember us in advance to help us through. He knows His Kingdom must and will continue to be active on the earth He created, no matter what.

So, just as God sometimes roars and sometimes speaks in a still, small voice, we can know Him as our protective Father, who fights our battles and also reveals Himself as an authoritative, consuming fire.

Not fear or worry, but faithful trust in Him and obedience to His directives will lead us safely through. His peace is power. 

Not Speechless

For my friends who think quietness means speechlessness, it doesn’t in 1 Timothy 2:11 AMPC, which says, “Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness.” 

Anyone who truly submits to God knows something of His power and protection. And because of their confident trust in Him, they can experience quietness as an inner calm, a strength that results when our focus and path are right with Him.

And the more we practice it, the stronger in Jesus we become.

Meekness

2 Timothy 2:25 TPT says, “Then with meekness you’ll be able to carefully enlighten those who argue with you so they can see God’s gracious gift of repentance and be brought to the truth.”

Here, we see meekness used as a tool of light-bearing strength and the wisdom of good news to flip conversations. When we do our part, God’s grace-power will work through a peaceful, meek person to lead others into His truth. 

And isn’t this largely why we’re here?

Harmony

Finally, quietness can mean rest, a gift of divine wholeness where all of the parts come together harmoniously and without persecution or hostile attack (Strong’s #1515). 

If you’ve been in a season of preparation for a long time, you know what endurance and day-by-day restoration feels like. You know that salvation is the way that leads to peace and you know it can, indeed, be walked out. 

I believe there are those who are about to live out a level of this kind of harmony they’ve dreamed of for a long time. Yes, God is about to deliver them into the promises they’ve held onto and believed for. And even in the transition, there’s a calmness in their souls (Strong’s #2271). Because they’ve been made familiar with God in the process as they have believed and obeyed Him.

This is not to say that all will be quiet around them. But Jesus will bring them through with an inner calm when their focus remains on Him. 

And in all of this, we can remember the importance of the power of presence—of simply showing up and experiencing God’s Presence at work through us in any situation. He is with us at all times to be our steely strength, even at the level of crucifixion. 

To Him be all glory, honor and praise. Amen.

This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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I Need You

During quiet time, Holy Spirit revealed to me that there’s coming a time when His beloved will need to know Him as their strength in new ways. 

As God continues to bring shifts into our lives, He would have us recognize and acknowledge our need for Him. Holy Spirit especially highlighted the Word “NEED” in capital letters, as we believe Him for greater things.

All of the Biblical definitions of the Word need involve elements of measure and time. They can reference:

  • What is suitable, fit, convenient, advantageous, enough.
  • What is indispensable, required, essential, intimate, right, proper.
  • What is pressing, distressing, compelling.
  • Even what is indebted—what is owed.
  • Or simply needing more of something.

Chase Him

Holy Spirit also revealed that we are to synchronize our voices with His and chase Him.

Yes, chase.

He highlighted several verses, including this one in particular: Psalm 34:10 TPT, where King David sings, “…those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing.” 

Ironically, the Word “lack” in this verse is transliterated from a Hebrew Word that’s spelled “chaser.”

According to Strong’s, this Hebrew Word (chaser) means to “be abated, bereave, decrease, cause to fail, have lack, make lower, want” (Strong’s #2637). It can reference the loss of a loved one or a change in status. It can mean to want something that feels withheld, even in regards to worth.

Like King David, when we find ourselves in a time of need, we can cry out to God to meet them (Ps 34:4, 15). He assures us in Psalm 84:11 ESV that He “is a sun and shield;” and that He “bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” 

Matthew 7:11 assures us that God gives “good things to those who ask him!”

In Matthew 7:7-8 TPT, Jesus says, “Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.”

Don’t Worry

Jesus also reminds us to forsake our worries and not chase after material needs, like unbelievers do (Mt 6:31-32). He asks us in Matthew 6:27 TPT “So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life?” Then, He offers us a strategy in Matthew 6:33-34 TPT which says, “So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

Paul also reminds us in Philippians 4:6 TPT by saying, “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life.” 

Synchronizing Voice

Especially in a time of need, we must remember that God’s voice is a “synchronizing voice,” meaning it perfectly times sound with action.

God says through the prophet Isaiah in 66:2, “But there is one my eyes are drawn to: the humble one, the tender one, the trembling one who lives in awe of all I say.”

King David offers us an encouraging strategy in Psalm 34:12-13 TPT by saying, “Do you want to live a long, good life, enjoying the beauty that fills each day? Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words to come from your mouth.” In Psalm 34:9 TPT he reminds us to “Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy! For all who fear him will feast with plenty.”

We can intentionally choose to agree with Him in Word and action. We can speak what He says and see mountains move and provision come. We can even experience a “miraculous escape” (Ps 34).

Grace is Necessary

His Spirit of Grace is necessary and works to help our voice align with His and fulfill our needs.

Hebrews 4:16 TPT says, “So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 TPT, Paul says, “Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything —every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.”

God’s grace is also necessary to fulfill the needs of others through us. Holy Spirit impressed my heart many years ago that He’s raising up His beloved ones who have a great desire to give to others. Many will find themselves in positions to do so in this new season.

In this light, Jesus reminds us how to give in Matthew 6:2-4 NIV by saying, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Pray with me if you will . . . 

Holy God,

Thank You for Your grace of provision.

We need You every step of the way to accomplish Your plan for us.

“Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need Your help” (Ps 86:1 NLT).

Thank You that “Your wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to [me] through Jesus Christ” (Php 4:7 TPT).

To You be all glory, honor and praise.

Amen.

This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.